Cement and concrete placer



Nov. 18, 1941. Q HOWARD 2,263,498

CEMENT AND CONCRETE PLACER Filed Aug. 20, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 R. affozrard Nov. 13, 1941.

R. o. HOWARD CEMENT AND CONCRETE PLACER Filed Aug. 20, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 3mm R.0.1%wari WM MM Patented Nov. 18, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CEMENT AND CONCRETEIPLACER Robert 0. Howard, Bedding; Calif. Application August. 20, 1940;, Serial- No: 353,432

Claims.

This invention relates to a compressed air operated placer for cement and concrete, and is designed primarily for placing cement and concrete behind forms, but it isto be understood that a placer, in accordance with this invention 'is for employment in any connection for which it may be found applicable.

A cement and concrete placer, in accordance with this invention, is of the gun type.

The invention aims to provide, in a manner as hereinafter. set forth, a placer for the purpose set forth, whereby it will eliminate the slumping of the placed material, more particularly concrete and which'is very advantageous from asaving standpoint in that it requiresless fmanner as hereinafter. set forth, a compressed air. operated; placer of thegun type including a lengthwise bodily adjustable compressed air directing' nozzle. capable of being pushed forward toward or drawn back in relation to the discharge mouth of the gun to meet the convenience of the operator, and further to facilitate theplacing of air behind the material to be. ex- .pelledand-placed. The vinvention further aims to provide, ina manner as hereinafter set forth, a compressed air operated placer of the guntype including upper superposed compressed air directingelements: or nozzles so disposed whereby any ma.- terial adhering to the inner faces of the sides of the hopper may be forced downwardly to a position to be expelled;

"I'he. invention further aims to provide, in a manner ashereinafter referred to, a placer for the purpose set fortlr including a. hopper for re:-

ceiving the materialzto be placed havinga material intake, and a controllable compressed air operatedclosure gate for saidintake.

Theinvention further aims to provide, in a "manner-ashereinafter set forth, a; placer of the type referred to including in combination ahopper for receiving. plastic material and fluidmeans for discharging the. material from. the hopper.

The invention; further; aims to provide, a manner as zhereinafte'r'setx forth, a; placer for the purpose set forth including a. hopper for re ceiving. plastic. material .and fluid means directedatdiflferent levels for removing the material adhering .to the. sides of the hopper, and fluid means disposed at a: lower levelvv for discharging the material. from. the: hopper.

The 'irrventionfurther. aims to..-provi-de, a manner as hereinafter set forth; acontrollable compressed air operated placer for-the. purpose set forth which is simple in its construction and arrangement, strong, durable; compact; th'oroughly efiici-entin its use, readily assembled,

conveniently controlled, and. comparatively inexpensive to'construct.

Embodying the aims aforesaid and others which may. hereinafter-appear, the invention consists-- of the novel: construction, combination and arrangement. of parts, as willbemore: specifically described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings-wherein is shown an embodimentfiof: the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications may be resorted to. which fall within the scope of the. invention .as claimed.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a .sideelevation of the placer, Figure 2 is a. topplan viewof the placer with the slide gate. or closurethereof partly opened,

Figure 3 is a section on line 3'- 3 of Figure 1=, .zlEigureT l is: a. section'ion line 4-4 Figure 3, and Figure-5"israsectional detail upon an enlarge'd scale.

The placer includes; a hopper 5 which receives thematerial. which is to 'be placed. The hopper which is of substantially rectangular c'ontour in plan comprises a top wall- 5' formed with a: controllable entrance orintake opening 1', of rectangular contour for the passage of the material into' the hopper which is to be placed,

iazpairof oppositely disposed 'sid'e walls- '8, 9 of like forlm, arearwall tlli a front wall I I- and a bottomv wall-12L Each 'of the side walls including a vertically disposed rectangular upper part I3 ofif'the desired. height and---vvid'th" and an inwardly inc-lined tapered l'owerpa'rt 14 having a downwardly inclined narrow "ex-tension I5 projecting forwardly from the lower portion of the front .of'the side-wall; .The bottom edge of'each side wall is formedot rear and front forwardly ex-- tending downwardly inclined edgeportions IGf,

The edge portion 16- is' of less "length than and is disposed at a greater downward inclination than the edge portion I1. The rear wall I includes a rectangular upper part I8 of less height than the upper parts l3 of the side walls and an angle-shaped lower part I9 which is offset with respect to the part I8. The front wall II consists of an upper rectangular part corresponding in height to the height of the parts I3 of the side walls, an inwardly inclined tapered intermediate part 2| and a forwardly directed downwardly inclined lower part 22. The bottom wall I2 consists of forwardly extending downwardly inclined rear part 23 and a forward ly extending downwardly inclined front part 24 of less inclination than and of greater lengththan the part 23. The forward edge of. the latter is spaced from the rear edge of part 24 to form an opening 25 which communicates with the interior of the hopper. The parts 23, 24 are connected together by a combined coupler and supporting element 26 which depends from bottom wall I2. The element 26 is of angle form in cross section and includes a depending rearwardly inclined rear part 21 and an upwardly inclined forward part 28. The parts 21, 28 at their lower ends merge into each other. The part 21 at its upper end merges into the forward end. of bottom part 23. The part 28 at its upper end merges into the rear end of the bottom part 24. The part 2! is formedwith an opening 29 and an annular boss 30 on its rear face registering. with opening. 29. The element '26 extends from. one side edge to the other side edge of bottom wall I2.

The lower end of the upper part I8 of the rear wall I0 aligns in spaced relation with the rear end of the rear part 23 of the bottom wall I2 to provide an opening 3| which communicates with the hopper. The lower part I9 of therear wall I0 is formed with anupper rearwardly inclined part 32 and a forwardly extending downwardly inclined lower part 33. The lower end of part 32 and upper end of part 33Zmerge into each other. The upper end of part 32 mergesinto the lower end ofthe upper part I8 of said rear wall. The upper end. of part 33 merges'into the rear end. of thepart 23 of the said bottom wall. The ends of the rear wall part I9 align with the outer side of rear wall part I8.

The top wall 6 is secured to said side, front and rear walls, The rear wall is arranged between and secured to the side walls whereby the opening 3| and angle-shaped lower part I9 of the rear wall are closed attheir ends. 1 The front wall II is secured to and is of less height than the side walls. The bottom I2 is secured to the side walls, the latter are provided with depending portions 34 for. closing the ends of opening 25 and said element 26.

The side, front and bottom walls are so formed and related to provide the lower end of the front of the hopper with anoutlet opening 35 for the materiaL' Secured to the front of the hopper and forming an outward continuation of the wall of opening 35 is a tapered discharge and directing spout 36 for the material to be placed.

There is secured to the upper face of the top wall 6 and bordering the sides of the opening I is a combined support, guide and abutment element 31, of rectangular form for a sliding gate 36 forcontrolling the opening I. The element 31- borders the opening 1 and consists of a rear bar 39, a front bar 46 of less height than bar 39 and, a pair of side bars 4|, 42 corresponding in height to the bar 40 of and being of inverted L-shaped in cross section. The bar 39 constitutes an abutment and the bars 4|, 42 guides for the gate 38. The bars 40, 4|, 42 form supports for the gate. The upper surfaces of the bars 40, 4|, 42 are arranged below the upper surface of bar 39. The bars 4|, 42 are oppositely disposed and have secured to the lower faces of their horizontal parts packing strips 43. The bar 40 is of inverted L-shape in cross section.

The gate 38 comprises a flat body part 44 having depending from the sides thereof a pair of oppositely disposed coupling parts 45 into which extend the horizontal parts of the bars 4|, 42.

The coupling parts are of L-shape contour in cross section and with the horizontal parts thereof bearing against the lower faces of said packing strips 43. The gate 38 is reciprocated for the purpose of closing and opening the intake or entrance. The means for reciprocating gate 38 will be hereinafter referred to.

The upper parts I3 of the side walls'I, 8 are formed with aligned opening 4! which communicate with the opening 3|. Supported by the walls of the openings 41 is a nozzle element 48 termed an upper sweep. The element 48 extends outwardly at one end from the opening 41 in the upper part I3 of one side wall 'I and such upper part I3 has formed integral with its outer face an annular boss 49 forming an outward continuation of the walls of such opening 41. The element 48 extends outwardly from the boss Arranged in the opening 25 is a nozzle element 59 termed a lower sweep which has secured to and intermediate the ends ofits bottom a feed pipe 5|. The latter extends rearwardly through the opening 29 and theboss 30. The pipe 5I is projected rearwardly from the boss 39.

Suspended from the rear portion of the,;bottom wall I2 of the hopper by a pair of spaced vertical parallel hangers 5| is a horizontally disposed cylinder 52 formed with axially apertured heads 53. Slidably mounted in and extendingforwardly and rearwardly from said cylinder is an elongated bodily adjustable nozzle 54. The latter is slidably mounted'in the heads 53 and is ofa length to extend into the spout 36. The forward part 24 of bottom wall I2 is formed with an opening 55 in proximity to the opening .35.. Integral at its forward end with the lower" face of part 24 and registering with the'opening "55 is a rearwardly directedhorizontally disposed tubular member 56 formed with peripheral threads at its rear end. Connected to the rear end of member 561s an axially apertured packing gland 51 carrying a packing, 58 abutting against the rear end edge of member 56. Thenozzle54 passes forwardly through the gland -5'|,;member 56 and opening 55. Thewall; of the latter in connection with the member 56 and gland 51 forms asupport forwardly of the cylinder for the nozzle 54 intermediate the ends of the latter. The nozzle 54 has fixed'thereto a piston 58 operating within the cylinder 52. a I I Extending forwardly from the upper portion of the front wall II and arranged above the top wall 6 is a horizontally disposedcylinder 59 having axially apertured heads 60, 6| and operating within the cylinder 59 is areciprocatory: piston 62 carried on one .end of a. piston rodl'63. .The latter extends rearwardly from 'cylinde'r159, through the head 60 and 'itis connected to "the gate 38.. A bracing 'structure'64 iserngplpyed for cylinder 59jxand such structure is:secured11;O-: the hopper 5 and said cylinder. i

Connected to-and supported from one side of thehopper 5 isan inverted T-coupler 65 -1'1avingits branches-designated 66-, 61- and 68'. The

branch '66- is to be connected toa compressed air supply, not shown. The branch '61 ha'sconnected thereto a pipe section 69 and the latter is attached at its upper end to the'vertical The horizontal opening into the'cylinder 59 through the head 6i" is a flexible conducting line 16 for compressed air. Leading from'thestructure 14 and opening into the cylinder 59, through the head 6|, is a flexible conducting line 11 for compressed air. The-piston 62 and rod 63 are employed for controllingthe'operation of the gate 38, and the latter functions to control the opening and closing of the said entrance or intake opening I.

The cylinder 59, piston 62, piston rod 63, lines l6, l1 and structure 14 correlate 'to provide a fluid pressure operated means for controlling the opening and closing of the gate 38 with respect a two-way valve structure 83 and leading from the structure 83 and opening into the cylinder 52, through one of the heads of the latter, is a flexible conducting line 84 for compressed air. The structure 83 in connection with the lines 84, 8'5, cylinder 52 and piston 53 provide a compressed air operated controlling means for bodily adjusting the nozzle 54 with respect to the spout 36 :Attached to the branch at of the coupling 19 and opening into the rear end of the nozzle 54 is a flexible conducting line 88 for supplying compressed air to the nozzle 54.

The lower end of the line 88 is connected to and opens into the rear end of the nozzle 54.

A pair of spaced aligned one-wayvalve structures are indicated at 89, 9|].formed withhandles 9|, 92 respectively-for opening their valves. The structure 89 is connected to the branch 8| of coupling 19. The structure ,89 is also connected to a horizontal branch 93 of a T-coupling 94. The vertical branch 95 of coupling 94 has attached thereto a flexible line 96 for conducting compressed air to the nozzle element. The line 96 is connected to and opens into the pipe 5|. The structure 98 is connected to the other horizontal branch 91 of the coupling 94 and it is formed with a lateral extension 98 which is attached to a flexible line 99 for conducting compressed air to the nozzle element 48. The line 99 is connected to and opens into the outwardly extending portion of said element 48.

The nozzle 48 is formed with narrow rectangular jets or ports I80 preferably three in number whereby the body of air delivered through each jet will be substantially of fan-like form. Preferably the sizeof each port I00 will be three by one-quarter of an inch. The nozzle 50 will be formed with a single jet or port |8| which will be narrow and of rectangular contour not to exceed the diameter of the nozzle. The body of air directed from nozzle 50 will be substantially of fan-like shape.

' Compressed air "mayibe supplied to the nozzle 54' independently of nozzles 48, 50, cylinder 5.9 and cylinder 52. All of" the nozzles may have compressed air supplied thereto selectively whereby one nozzle may be made active independent of theiother nozzles. Compressed air .may be independently supplied to the cylinders 52,, 59,. When the nozzles 48, 5.0 are operated they are employed for removingmaterial adhering to the .front and sides of the. hopper. The manner in which the lower portion of the sides and front. of the hopper and the double inclination of the hopper bottom. are arranged facilitates the travel of the material to be, placed in a direction towards the spout.

What I claim is:

.1. A compressed air operated placer comprising a hopper formed of a top having a controlled material intake, 2. front, a rear, a pair of sides.

and-a bottom wall, said rear wall being of less height than said front wall, said front wall being formed in its lower portion with a mouth, said bottom wall extending forwardly at a downward inclination from said rear wall to said front wall, a spout forming an outward continuation. of said mouth, a bodily adjustable controllable compressed air directing nozzle extending through said bottom into said spout, and a controllable compressed air operated means for adjusting said nozzle lengthwise with respect to the spout.

2. A compressed air operated placer comprising a hopper formed of atop having a controlled material intake at. its. top, a front, a rear, a pair of sides and a bottom wall, said rear wall being of less height than said front wall, said front wall being formed in its lower portion with a mouth, said bottom wall extending forwardly at a downward inclination from saidrear wall to said front wall, a spout forming an outward continuation of said mouth, a bodily adjustable controllable compressed air directing nozzle extending through said bottom into said spout, and controllable compressed air operated means. foradjusting said nozzle lengthwise with respect to the spout, said compressed air operated means being supported from said bottom. v

3. A compressed air operated placer comprising a hopper formed of a top having a controlled material intake, a front, a rear, a pair of sides and a bottom wall, said rear wall being of less height than said front wall, said front wall being formed in its lower portion with a mouth, said bottom wall extending forwardly at a downward inclination from said rear wall to said front wall, a spout forming an outward continuation of said mouth, a bodily adjustable controllable compressed air directing nozzle extending through said bottom into said spout, controllable compressed air operated means for adjusting said nozzle lengthwise With respect to the spout, and a controllable sweep arranged in said bottom and directed towards said front. I

4. A compressed air operated placer comprising a hopper formed of a top having a controlled material intake, a front, a rear, a pair of sides and a bottom wall, said rear wall being of less height than said front wall, said front wall being formed in its lower portion with amouth, said bottom wall extending forwardly at a downward inclination from said rear wall to said front wall, a spout forming an outward continuation of said mouth, a bodily adjustable controllable compressed air directing nozzle extending through said bottom into said spout, controllable compressed air operated means for adjusting said nozzle lengthwise with respect to the spout, and a controllable sweep arranged in said bottom and directed towards said front, said compressed air operated means being supported from said bottom.

5. A compressed air operated placer comprising a hopper formed of a top having a controlled material intake at its top, a front, a rear, a pair of sides and a bottom wall, said rear wall being of less height than said front wall, said front wall being formed in its lower portion with a mouth, said bottom wall extending forwardly at a downward inclination from said rear wall to said front wall, a spout forming an outward continuation of said mouth, a bodily adjustable controllable compressed air directing nozzle extending through said bottom into said spout, controllable compressed air operated means for adjusting said nozzle lengthwise with respect to the spout, and a controllable sweep mounted at the lower end of the rear wall and directed to said side walls.

6. A compressed air operated placer comprising a hopper formed of a top having a controlled material intake at its top, a front, a rear, a pair of sides and a bottom wall, said rear wall being of less height than said front wall, said front wall being formed in its lower portion with a mouth, said bottom wall extending forwardly at a downward inclination from said rear wall to said front wall, a spout forming an outward continuation of said mouth, a bodily adjustable controllable compressed air directing nozzle extending through said bottom into said spout, controllable compressed air operated means. for adjusting said nozzle lengthwise with respect to the spout, and a controllable sweep mounted at the lower end of the rear wall and directed to said side walls, said compressed air operated means being supported from said bottom.

'7. A compressed air operated placer comprising a hopper formed of a top having a compressed air controlled intake at its top, a front, a rear, a pair of sides and a bottom wall, said rear wall being of less height than said front wall, said front wall being formed in its lower portion with a mouth, said bottom wall extending forwardly at a downward inclination from said rear wall to said front wall, a spout forming an outward continuation of said mouth, a bodily adjustable controllable compressed air directing nozzl extending through said bottom into said spout, controllable compressed air operated means for adjusting said nozzle lengthwise with respect to the spout, each of said sides including an inwardlyinclined tapered portion formed with a forwardly directed extension at its lower end,

and saidfront including an inwardly inclined tapered portion terminated in a extension secured to the extensions of said sides, the inwardly inclined portion of said front being secured to the inclined tapered portions of said sides.

8. In a compressed air operated placer a hopper including a forwardly extending downwardly inclined bottom, a top provided with a material intake and a frontformed with a mouth at its lower portion, a spout extending outwardly from said mouth for the discharge of the material, a controllable compressed air operated means for controlling said intake,. a controllable compressed air sweep supported from said bottom intermediate the upper and lower ends of the latter pressed air operated means for controlling said intake, a controllable compressed air sweep carried by said bottom intermediate the front and rear of the latter and directed towards said front, a controllable compressed air sweep carried by said bottom at the rear end of the latter and directed towards said front, a controllable compressedair'directing nozzle extending through said bottom into said spout, and a controllable compressed air operated means for adjusting said directing nozzle lengthwise of said spout.

10. A compressed air operated placer including a hopper for receiving the material to be placed having a forwardly extending downwardly inclined bottom and a spout at the lower portion of its front for the discharge of the material therefrom, a controllable nozzle extending through the forward portion of said bottom into said spout for directing compressed air to expel the material from the hopper, and controllable upper and lower sweeps for respectively directing compressed air into the hopper from the upper end and from intermediate the ends of said bottom.

ROBERT O. HOWARD. 

